​Osimhen and Galatasaray could have wrapped up the title during their trip to Samsunspor last week, but they faltered, succumbing to a disappointing 4-1 defeat. Following that loss, Osimhen vowed to deliver the trophy in front of the home fans at Rams Park when they welcomed Antalyaspor.

​However, the Nigerian’s promise seemed in jeopardy when the Cimbom conceded to Soner Dikmen just seconds before the break. Although Mario Lemina leveled the score in the 56th minute, Dikmen struck again with a sublime free-kick—one even Lionel Messi would have been proud of—to restore the visitors' lead at 2-1.

​It was a bitter pill to swallow. With rivals Fenerbahçe winning their own fixture, it appeared Galatasaray would be forced to wait another week to seal their crown.

​That was when Osimhen took matters into his own hands. Characteristically animated and fiery throughout the match, his persistence eventually earned a penalty after he was caught on the foot while attempting to pounce on a loose ball in the box. The Super Eagles star stepped up and coolly dispatched the strike into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-2.

​While the match seemed destined for a draw, the former Napoli man struck again in the 88th minute. Reacting quickest to a rebound, he flicked the ball off a defender and into the back of the net to make it 3-2, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

That goal set Rams Park alight, carrying immense weight; if they could hold the lead, the league title was theirs.

​Osimhen was substituted just three minutes later to a hero's reception. As he left the pitch, he was seen passionately urging his teammates to maintain their momentum. Despite a desperate late onslaught from Antalyaspor, Galatasaray put the result beyond doubt in the final minute.

Mauro Icardi combined brilliantly with Osimhen’s replacement, Kaan Ayhan, who slotted home the fourth to make it game, set, and match.

​Victor Osimhen Makes History with Galatasaray

​Ultimately, Victor Osimhen’s brace proved to be the difference-maker, securing Galatasaray’s status as Turkish Süper Lig champions.

​The Super Eagles star has written his name into Galatasaray folklore with a title that carries immense historical weight.

This victory marks the Cimbom’s fourth consecutive league trophy—only the second time such a feat has been achieved in Süper Lig history.

​Fittingly, the only other time a club won four straight titles was also Galatasaray, during their legendary run from 1997 to 2000. This latest triumph solidifies Galatasaray’s status as the preeminent force in Turkish football.

​However, with Galatasaray already out of the Turkish Cup, Osimhen’s season is set to conclude next week at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium. According to Opta Can, the Super Eagles striker is the fifth highest-scoring foreigner for Galatasaray in the league. He is just 24 behind Mauro Icardi.

Galatasaray forward Osimhen has once again found himself at the centre of transfer headlines with uncertainty surrounding his future at the Turkish champions.

Despite attracting interest from several top clubs when he wanted to leave Napoli in the summer of 2024, the Nigerian striker initially joined Galatasaray on loan, before the move was made permanent for a Turkish record €75 million last summer.

The 27-year-old has since justified the club’s faith in him with an impressive goalscoring record, netting 57 goals across all competitions in just two seasons, including 20 goals this campaign.

Peter Odemwingie advises Victor Osimhen on next club

Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has been heavily linked with several European heavyweights ahead of the summer transfer window, including Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

It has led to doubts over his long-term future at Galatasaray, although the Turkish champions are reportedly unwilling to part ways with the striker and are said to have placed a €150 million valuation on him to push away interested clubs.

Meanwhile, Osimhen has continued to enjoy a strong relationship with the Galatasaray supporters and has previously spoken openly about his affection for the club and its fans.

Speaking during an interview with Brila FM, Peter Odemwingie suggested that Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid would be better destinations for the Super Eagles striker if he eventually leaves Galatasaray during the summer transfer window.

“I will say Arsenal and Barcelona will be good. Real Madrid is also class for him”, the former Lille striker said.

“Anywhere he goes, when they move the ball nicely, he can make a call for the ball. He is good in the air as well. Maybe they will say Arsenal isn’t a matured squad because the squad is too young, so he needs a more matured one so that the whole job is not put on his hands.

“But with his speed, he can make a huge difference. Regardless, all those guys are very good players. He is fast and he can head as well. He has the advantage of height and he jumps very well — that’s English football for you.

“Real Madrid also has a big pitch; it’s wide, and it will suit him making runs and all that. Barcelona and Real Madrid of course. The latter has a big pitch which is wide. It will suit him making runs.”

Despite the possibility of becoming only the second Nigerian player after Odion Ighalo to play for Manchester United, Odemwingie has sent a strong warning to Osimhen against joining the Premier League heavyweights.

According to the former Nigeria international, the pressure surrounding Manchester United could make life difficult for any player.

“I’m not saying Manchester United because the wahala there is too much. The pressure on strikers — we’ve seen it with Lukaku and so many other strikers. They will always find a scapegoat because the club is so big”, Osaze added.

The former West Bromwich Albion forward also went on to praise Osimhen’s mentality and goalscoring ability, while backing him to reach the top level of European football.

“He doesn’t lack motivation. He is a goal scorer and is in a great shape and physically strong.

“At some point, there will be a decline, but in his prime, he should hopefully get to where he wants and not where we want”, Osaze concluded.

For now, Osimhen’s focus will be on finishing the season strongly with Galatasaray. Although the club are reluctant to sell their star forward, the situation could still change once the summer transfer window opens.

​Ajayi has been a mainstay for the United youth team this campaign, and the clash against the Potters marked his 18th appearance of the season.

​Although Stoke City opened the scoring in the first half, Manchester United roared back with three second-half goals. The comeback was fueled by a JJ Gabriel strike, sandwiched between Ajayi's clinical double.

 

 

 

 

 

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​The 17-year-old’s goals ensured he ended the campaign on a high, tallying seven goals and one assist in 18 appearances.

​Who is Manchester United's Starlet Noah Ajayi?

​Noah Ajayi is a 17-year-old winger currently on the books at Manchester United. Born in November 2008, he is set to turn 18 later this year.

​While his surname points to his Nigerian heritage, his international eligibility is multifaceted. Born in Germany to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother, Ajayi moved to England with his father at the age of ten.

Last year, he signed a scholarship with Manchester United and has since become a consistent performer in their academy ranks.

​On the international stage, Ajayi is eligible to represent Germany, Nigeria, or England. Currently, he features for the German youth national teams.

​Ajayi is a quick, intelligent player with an advanced goal-scoring instinct. While he primarily operates from the left wing, he is equally capable of playing as a center-forward.

Standing tall for his age—with the potential for further physical growth—he is a formidable presence on the pitch.

​While it remains unconfirmed whether the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made formal contact with the youngster or his family, he is undoubtedly a talent to keep an eye on.

The Nigerian girls travelled to the Bingu National Stadium holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg played in Ikenne last week, but they were pushed all the way by a fearless Malawi team chasing history.

Malawi made the perfect start in front of their home supporters when Faith Chimzimu opened the scoring in the ninth minute. The early goal lifted the hosts and immediately put pressure on the Falconets, who struggled to settle in the opening stages.

Nigeria tried to slow the game down and protect their aggregate lead, but Malawi continued to attack with pace and energy.

The hosts carried their momentum into the second half and found another breakthrough when Chimzimu struck again to complete her brace and level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.

For the first time in the contest, the Falconets looked in danger of missing the tournament.

Falconets: Oscar Precious delivers decisive moment

Just when Malawi appeared ready to complete a famous comeback, Nigeria found the goal that changed everything. In the 62nd minute, Oscar Precious scored the crucial away goal for the Falconets to make it 2-1 on the day and restore Nigeria’s aggregate advantage at 3-2.

The goal silenced the home crowd and forced Malawi to chase another strike to keep their World Cup hopes alive. The hosts continued to press late into the match, but the Falconets defended strongly to protect their slim advantage until the final whistle.

The result means Nigeria have now qualified for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since the competition began. Poland 2026 will be the Falconets’ 12th appearance at the tournament.

The competition will take place from 5 to 27 September 2026, with the Falconets hoping to finally win the title after finishing runners-up twice in previous editions.

Ghana also confirmed qualification on Saturday after the Black Princesses drew 1-1 away to Uganda to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Africa still has two remaining qualification spots to be decided, with Cameroon facing Tanzania and Ivory Coast taking on Benin in the final qualifying ties.

The Brighton goalkeeper earned the nomination for a brilliant fingertip save during her side’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool at St Helens Stadium in November 2025.

With Brighton trailing after Beata Olsson’s opener, Liverpool looked certain to score again when Japan midfielder Fuka Nagano fired a powerful long-range effort towards goal. Nnadozie reacted quickly, stretching at full length to push the ball onto the crossbar and away from danger. The save kept Brighton in the contest before they rescued a point later in the game.

The moment had already won the WSL Save of the Month award for November, with the Nigerian beating competition from Sabrina D’Angelo, Faye Kirby and Ayaka Yamashita.

Now, the 25-year-old faces even tougher competition for the season award. Her rivals include Daphne van Domselaar of Arsenal, Manchester City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, Leicester City’s Janina Leitzig, Elene Lete and Anneke Borbe.

Nigeria: Nnadozie’s strong debut season at Brighton

Since arriving from Paris FC in the summer of 2025, Nnadozie has quickly become one of Brighton’s most important players.

The Super Falcons star has kept six clean sheets in her debut WSL season and is also challenging for the league’s Golden Glove award as the campaign approaches its final weeks. Her performances have helped Brighton climb into the top half of the table after the club finished ninth last season.

Nnadozie has also played a key role in several important results, including a goalless draw against Aston Villa and a 1-1 result against Arsenal, where she was praised for controlling her penalty area and organising Brighton’s defence.

Brighton’s defensive record has improved sharply since her arrival, with the club conceding fewer goals and producing a five-match unbeaten run earlier in 2026, their longest stretch without defeat in more than a decade.

The Nigerian’s form has turned Brighton into a side capable of competing with the league’s strongest teams, including Arsenal and Manchester City.

Fans can vote for the WSL Save of the Season winner on the league’s official website.

Afrobeats star Divine Ikubor, referred to as Rema, has been headlined to feature in a star-studded lineup for the opening ceremony in Los Angeles, United States, as FIFA prepares for one of the biggest displays in World Cup history.

It marks another major milestone for the “Calm Down” hitmaker, who has continued to raise the profile of Nigerian Afrobeats globally, after he also performed at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.

Soccernet.ng had earlier reported that another Nigerian superstar Damini Ogulu, popularly referred to as Burnaboy, also featured in the tournament’s official theme song alongside Canadian pop star Shakira.

A snippet of the song was released last Thursday, while the full version is expected to drop on May 14.

Rema to headline World Cup opening ceremony in Los Angeles

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd edition of football’s biggest tournament and is scheduled to kick off in June. The competition will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, marking the first time in history that three countries will host the tournament together.

The last World Cup jointly hosted by more than one nation was the 2002 edition in Japan and South Korea, where the opening ceremony took place at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea.

However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has now confirmed that each of the three host nations for the 2026 tournament will stage its own opening ceremony.

The tournament will begin in Mexico City on June 11 with the first ceremony ahead of Mexico’s clash with South Africa. The event will then move to Canada on June 12, where several international stars are expected to perform ahead of Canada’s clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Later that same day, Los Angeles – known as the entertainment capital of the world, will host the final ceremony featuring Nigerian superstar Rema alongside several other global music stars.

The lineup is also expected to include pop superstar Katy Perry, Grammy-winning rapper Future, South African singer Tyla, Brazilian singer Anitta and Thai rapper Lisa, bringing entertainment to the global audience ahead of more than a month of football action.

“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become”, Gianni Infantino said on FIFA’s official website.

“The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country.”

Although Nigeria will not be participating at the Mundial, the country’s music industry will still have a strong presence on the global stage through artists like Rema and Burna Boy.

The tournament will run until July 19 and will feature 104 matches. Argentina head into the competition as defending champions after defeating France on penalties in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.

The camp is expected to run from May 23 to 28, with one friendly game likely to be played during the trip, according to SavidNews.

Although the tour falls outside the official FIFA international window, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to organise the camp to keep the team active ahead of next year’s continental tournament and the qualification race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The UK programme also comes after a frustrating March international break when the Super Falcons were unable to play the friendly matches initially planned by the federation.

Head coach Justine Madugu is expected to use the camp to look at fresh faces and widen his options before the defence of Nigeria’s continental crown.

Some regular players may miss the UK trip because of club commitments in Europe and elsewhere, but many of them are expected to return for the next FIFA window scheduled between June 7 and 14.

WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons building towards ‘Mission 11'

Nigeria go into the preparations as African champions after reclaiming the WAFCON title in dramatic fashion last summer in Morocco.

The Super Falcons completed a stunning comeback to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final in Rabat after trailing 2-0 at half-time. Goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy had placed Morocco in control before Nigeria fought back in the second half.

Esther Okoronkwo started the comeback from the penalty spot in the 64th minute before Folashade Ijamilusi equalised moments later after a strong run and assist from Okoronkwo. Substitute Jennifer Echegini then scored the winning goal in the 88th minute from an Okoronkwo free-kick as Nigeria secured a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

The triumph also saw Rasheedat Ajibade win the Player of the Tournament award, while Chiamaka Nnadozie was named Best Goalkeeper.

Since lifting the trophy, Madugu has been tasked with leading what many around the team now describe as ‘Mission 11', Nigeria’s push for another African title at the 2026 tournament in Morocco. The Super Falcons have already been drawn in Group C alongside Egypt, Malawi and Zambia.

The UK tour is expected to help the technical crew improve team chemistry, assess emerging talents and maintain Nigeria’s status as the dominant force in African women’s football ahead of the tournament in July 2026.

The game at the PreZero Arena will be a send-off for Nigerian defender Kevin Akpoguma, who'll be bringing his 13-year spell at the club to an end.

Felix Agu's last appearance for Werder Bremen came in his side's 1-3 loss to FC Koln, where he played 79 minutes before pulling up with a muscle injury.

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Felix Agu: Werder Bremen boss plays down starting role against Hoffenheim

Agu has started just nine games for Thioune's side this season, in a campaign that has been riddled with injury problems for the Nigerian.

After missing about four months due to ankle and adductor injuries, the 26-year-old is back in training again, but his best bet will come only from the bench, as revealed by the club's coach.

“Felix has been in training for a few days, so we have to think about how and when Felix can help the team alongside my coaching crew,” the German coach said in quotes revealed by Deichstube.

“However, I currently rule out that he can be in the starting eleven in Hoffenheim.

“We still have to wait for the final training afterwards, but if nothing happens there, I’m good that he is at our disposal,” Daniel Thioune said about Felix Agu.

Werder Bremen can secure top-flight status in the Bundesliga if they draw against Hoffenheim today.

Ejuke made his 26th appearance of the season across all competitions in Sevilla’s 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad last Monday. He was a surprise inclusion in the starting lineup for the clash, marking only his first La Liga start since November 2025, when he featured in a 2-0 defeat to Real Betis.

Despite not getting on the scoresheet, the 28-year-old delivered an eye-catching performance on the left wing and constantly troubled the opposition defence. The Super Eagles forward also completed the most dribbles in the game and recorded the highest number of touches inside the opposition box.

He was also one of the highest rated players on the pitch and appears to have given García Plaza plenty to consider ahead of Sevilla’s crucial run-in.

Sevilla coach hints at bigger role for Chidera Ejuke 

Sevilla host Espanyol at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in a crucial La Liga match later today as they continue their battle for survival this season. 

The seven-time Europa League winners have struggled throughout the campaign and currently sit 17th in the La Liga table with 37 points, just one point above the relegation zone with only four matches left to play.

Ahead of the encounter, García Plaza admitted he has been impressed by Ejuke’s performances in training and believes the winger could keep his place in the starting lineup if he maintains the same standard.

“He wasn't a starter since November. ‘Chidi' had not been a starter for a long time, with me and with the previous coach. I think he played a great game”, the Sevilla boss said, via Estadio Deportivo.

“This Ejuke is the one I was already liking in training. I wanted to put him in and I think that if he keeps this level he will play. If he is a focused Ejuke, who does everything, who is not lost dribbling… He's going to play. What I'm saying here I've told him: don't get lost, let him be vertical, attack, face, look for one by one… If he fulfills it effectively, he has to play.”

García Plaza further revealed that Ejuke had asked to be substituted during the Real Sociedad game after struggling physically, but the winger pushed himself to continue until full-time.

He also praised the Nigerian forward’s defensive work rate and stressed the importance of maintaining balance in his game.

“I only talk about my games, but he hadn't played as a starter since November and it's not normal. Therefore, I understood that he asked me for the change in the 60, because it's been many months without playing as a starter. It has to give us many things, but it has to be at that level”, the Sevilla coach added.

“He has to have that verticality, go for the rival, go for the goal, not get lost dribbling backwards… Go ahead and attack, attack, attack, attack… And help us defensively. If he does that, he is a very important player.”

Sevilla have just four games remaining to secure their La Liga status and avoid relegation this season and Super Eagles duo Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams will be hoping to play important roles in the club’s fight for survival.

Their battle to stay in the Spanish top flight begins against Espanyol today, before difficult fixtures against Villarreal, Real Madrid and Celta de Vigo to close out the season.

The performance of Nigerian national football teams have fallen off over the last decade, with the Super Eagles at the height, after missing out on two consecutive World Cups.

Only the Super Falcons have continued to thrive in the midst of the chaos, although Aluko feels they're not being treated with respect despite being the most successful African football team in the World.

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Eni Aluko calls for infrastructural reforms in Nigerian football

The 39-year-old likened the situation of the Green and Whites of Brazil. La Selecao have won five World Cups, the most of any nation in the world, and have participated in every edition of the tournament.

However, Brazil have not won the tournament since 2002, 24 years ago. Also, the last time they got to the semi-final was in 2014.

Nigeria, since the 1994 AFCON triumph and the Atlanta 1996 Olympics gold glory, have struggled to impress on the global stage again.

Quizzed about how she looks to help Nigerian football return to its rightful place, the former Juventus winger spoke about the impact of infrastructure.

“I work in the investment space now, so I’m very conscious that there are investment opportunities and trade opportunities. For me, from a football perspective, there’s a lot of opportunity to invest in the infrastructure of sport,” the Nigerian-born Lioness said in an interview with Punch.

“We were talking on the radio about the Nigerian league and the talent that is being produced, but that talent needs to be supported by infrastructure, right?

“It needs to be supported by good facilities, good pitches, good management, a pathway, all of these things that allow talent to really rise to the top.

“I think when you look at leagues like Brazil’s, Brazil is on a similar path to Nigeria in economic terms.

“But Brazil have managed to create a league where the best talent leaves but then comes back towards the end of their career. Neymar is there. Thiago Silva is there, and so much.

“So I see similarities in what the Nigerian leagues can become, which will then allow players to really have the opportunity to flourish, get picked for the national team, and both will rise.

“The national team will benefit, the leagues will benefit. The pan-African competitions, the cross-continent competitions will benefit.

“So, through my work with CAF, but also through my investment work, I want to try to help with the facility side, building more pitches, things like that.

“I’m trying to build my network now to see how I can help as much as possible,” Aluko concluded.

Eni Aluko joined the CAF Women's task force last month and is focused on leveraging her experience to bring commercial power, sponsorship, and better facilities to African women's football.

​Osimhen arrived in Turkey two seasons ago and has since established total dominance over the league. During his debut season on loan, he played a pivotal role in leading his club to both the Super Lig and Cup titles, delivering a staggering 31 goals and six assists in 34 appearances.

​While injuries have hampered his current campaign, Osimhen has remained clinical for Cimbom whenever fit. So far this season, he has contributed 20 goals and eight assists in 32 games.

This weekend, the Nigerian star is on course to secure a second consecutive league title if Galatasaray defeats relegation-threatened Antalyaspor at RAMS Park.

​Victor Osimhen Gets Praise from Jakirovic

​Currently, Hull City is vying for a Premier League promotion spot and is set to face Millwall in the playoff first leg. Recall that Hull is the club side of another Super Eagles star Semi Ajayi.

Ahead of the clash, Jakirovic reflected on his time in Turkey, where he managed Kayserispor to a 13th-place finish last season.

​When asked to name the league’s standout performer, Jakirovic didn't hesitate to point to Osimhen, praising the 25-year-old’s technical ability and elite mindset.

​“Victor Osimhen is a fantastic player. When he's absent, Galatasaray truly struggles; you can see the immediate impact he has on the pitch,” Jakirovic said.

“Galatasaray had a difficult match against Kayserispor but managed to win and secure the championship in that game. Osimhen has an incredible mentality. Even with two weeks left in the season when most players might be thinking of vacation, he stayed and fought. That is what makes him such a valuable asset.”

​Osimhen’s consistent brilliance has naturally attracted interest from Europe’s elite, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Chelsea all reportedly monitoring his situation. While no formal offers have been tabled yet, Galatasaray faces an uphill battle to retain their talisman if his stellar form continues.

Nigeria-eligible winger Kareem Tunde started the match for Luís Castro’s side and played 46 minutes before being withdrawn at half-time as Levante searched for a more attacking approach.

The night looked set to end in disaster for the home side after Osasuna stormed into an early two-goal lead inside the opening 11 minutes. The visitors went ahead after just three minutes when Jeremy Toljan accidentally diverted the ball into his own net under pressure inside the area.

Osasuna doubled their advantage eight minutes later through Ante Budimir. The Croatian striker met Abel Bretones’ delivery and calmly guided his finish into the bottom corner for his 18th league goal of the campaign.

Levante struggled badly in the opening stages, but the momentum of the match completely changed in the closing stages of the first half. Defender Víctor García dragged the hosts back into the contest with two goals in the space of two minutes.

His first arrived in the 35th minute after he reacted quickest at the far post from a corner kick. García then produced the moment of the half in the 37th minute when he unleashed a powerful long-range effort from around 30 metres that flew into the top corner past Sergio Herrera.

The match swung even further in Levante’s favour just before the break when Osasuna goalkeeper Herrera received a straight red card for handling the ball outside his penalty area.

Tunde substituted as Levante complete comeback

With Osasuna reduced to ten men, Castro made a bold tactical decision by replacing Kareem Tunde at half-time with Roger Brugué as Levante pushed for victory.

The change transformed the home side into an attacking force. Levante finished the game with 67 percent possession, 35 total shots and 15 corners as they laid siege to Osasuna’s goal throughout the second half.

Despite being under constant pressure, substitute goalkeeper Aitor Fernández kept the visitors in the contest with a string of important saves.

However, Levante finally found the breakthrough in the 90th minute. Cameroon forward Karl Etta Eyong, 21, powered home a diving header from Alan Matturro’s headed cross to complete an extraordinary turnaround and send the home supporters into celebration.

Tunde’s performance before his withdrawal received mixed ratings across different platforms. FotMob awarded him 6.9, while WhoScored gave him 6.5 and Sofascore rated him 6.6.

Although Levante struggled defensively in the opening minutes, the winger was efficient in possession. He completed all 17 of his passes successfully and won two free kicks during his time on the pitch.

The victory could prove crucial in Levante’s battle against relegation. The three points move them onto 36 points and level with Alavés as the fight for survival tightens with only three league matches remaining this season.

Tunde, who is eligible to represent both Nigeria and Spain at international level, continues to attract attention after returning recently from a minor adductor injury that reportedly affected his chances of earning a Super Eagles call-up earlier this year.

The result at Stade Bollaert-Delelis confirmed Nantes' fall into Ligue 2 with one match still left to play this season.

The eight-time French champions remain stuck on 23 points, five behind AJ Auxerre in the relegation play-off place, making survival mathematically impossible. It brings an end to Nantes' 13-year stay in the French top flight dating back to their promotion in the 2012-13 campaign.

The club had fought desperately in recent weeks to avoid disaster, including a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Marseille, but their poor run across the season eventually caught up with them.

The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute when 16-year-old Lens debutant Mezian Soares produced a dream moment. Only seconds after being introduced from the bench, the teenager scored with his very first touch to break Nantes' resistance and send the home supporters into celebration.

Awaziem played the full 90 minutes and again showed why he has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult campaign. The Super Eagles defender battled throughout the night against Lens’ relentless attack and finished the match with several important clearances and blocks.

The 28-year-old had recently been named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Week after an outstanding display against Marseille.

Awaziem shines despite Nantes collapse

Although Nantes’ season ended in disappointment, Awaziem’s personal performances have attracted praise across France.

The Nigerian centre-back featured in 26 Ligue 1 matches this season and started 24 of them, becoming one of the leaders of the defence during a difficult year for the club. He finished the campaign with one goal and two assists, impressive numbers for a defender in a team that struggled badly in attack.

Awaziem also established himself as one of Ligue 1’s busiest defenders. He led the division in clearances with 158 and ranked among the league’s strongest aerial defenders, winning more than 67 percent of his duels in the air.

Nantes’ bigger problem was at the other end of the pitch. The club managed only five wins in 32 league matches and scored just 29 goals throughout the season. Their leading scorer, Matthis Abline, finished with only a modest tally of six, while the team suffered long winless stretches that dragged them deeper into danger.

The relegation adds another difficult chapter to Awaziem’s career, which has regularly involved battling against relegation across Europe. Since leaving El-Kanemi Warriors for FC Porto in 2014, the Nigerian international has played in Portugal, Turkey, Spain, Croatia, the United States and France.

He previously had loan spells at Nantes, Çaykur Rizespor and Leganés before later moving through Boavista, Hajduk Split and Major League Soccer sides FC Cincinnati and Colorado Rapids.

Awaziem returned permanently to Nantes in July 2025 on a three-year deal, hoping to help stabilise the club. Instead, he now faces another uncertain summer as questions grow over whether he will remain to help Nantes fight for promotion or seek another move in Ligue 1.

Madugu reveals that this development is as a result of several countries refusing to play friendly matches against the reigning African champions.

The Super Falcons have endured a frustrating build-up to the tournament in Morocco, with cancelled fixtures, rejected invitations and growing concerns from players and supporters over the lack of competitive games.

Nigeria have managed to play only two matches in 2026 so far, both against Cameroon in March. The Falcons lost the first game 1-0 before responding with a 3-1 victory in the second encounter.

Plans for additional matches have repeatedly fallen apart. A proposed four-nation tournament involving Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast was scrapped, while a scheduled double-header against Cape Verde in April was cancelled after the opponents suddenly withdrew.

Madugu explained that the Nigeria Football Federation had contacted several countries in search of matches, but many coaching staffs rejected the opportunity once Nigeria’s name was mentioned.

“The fact is that most of the teams are not ready to play us,” Madugu told Brila. “I am aware they have made a lot of efforts at trying to reach out to so many teams.

“The federation will accept by the time they approach their coaches, they will say no, they don’t want to play the Super Falcons. I’m aware they have made approaches to more than five countries. That I know.

“Maybe some other reasons could be behind it, but we’re not happy about it.”

WAFCON pressure grows as Super Falcons chase World Cup qualification

The situation has increased worries about Nigeria’s readiness for the 2026 WAFCON, which will run from July 25 to August 16 after being postponed from its original March date. The competition will also serve as the qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Players have already voiced concerns. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie have both criticised the lack of planning around the team’s preparations.

Madugu admitted the shortage of matches is hurting the team’s tactical growth and rhythm ahead of a difficult tournament in Morocco.

“We’re not happy about it because it’s not helping our preparations also,” he said. “But then, what can you do when you don’t have anybody that is ready to play against you?

“Some other countries, particularly the European teams, they are more focused on playing against European teams because of their World Cup qualifiers.”

At the WAFCON, Nigeria will face a difficult Group C containing Zambia, Malawi and Egypt. Zambia boast star forwards Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, while Malawi will rely on the dangerous Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa.

Madugu stressed that regular games are vital if Nigeria want to successfully defend the title they reclaimed in 2025 after beating hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.

“It’s affecting our preparations. We are not happy about it,” he added. “You need games to improve. We will keep working.

“If they had qualified for the World Cup, probably knowing fully well that they will come up against teams from different continents, they might be of light in wanting to play us.

“However, some of the approaches that have been made, even with the European teams, some of them are not willing to play African teams for now, but they rather prefer to play against the European opposition, particularly the top countries.”

The Super Falcons are the most successful nation in Africa, with a record ten continental titles.

The Super Eagles striker underwent knee surgery earlier this year and he has credited Teni (real name, Teniola Apata) for standing by him through it all.

The 25-year-old striker underwent surgery on January 10 after struggling for months with persistent knee pain that eventually forced him to end his season early. Boniface later admitted that he had been ‘putting on a fake smile' while dealing with the injury during his difficult loan spell at Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.

The knee problem worsened in December 2025 after he suffered severe cartilage damage during a league match. Following consultations with specialists in Austria, Boniface travelled to Innsbruck where renowned surgeon Dr. Christian Fink carried out the operation.

The procedure nearly ruled the Nigerian international out for the remainder of the 2025/2026 campaign and became another frustrating setback in a career that has already been heavily disrupted by injuries despite his enormous talent.

The Werder Bremen forward, who spent months battling a serious cartilage problem, used his official X account to appreciate the Nigerian musician for repeatedly checking on him during his recovery process.

“After my surgery, I know how many times Teni Entertainer call to check on me. Respect,” Boniface wrote.

Teni, born Teniola Apata in Lagos, remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable music stars. Famous for hit songs such as ‘Case', ‘Uyo Meyo', and ‘Billionaire', she has built a reputation for her lively personality and strong friendships within Nigeria’s entertainment and sporting circles.

The singer rose to prominence after the success of ‘Fargin' in 2017 before winning major honours including Rookie of the Year at the Headies and Best New Artist at the Soundcity MVP Awards in 2018. In 2022, she was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) for her contribution to Nigerian music and culture.

Boniface closing in on Bundesliga return

Boniface’s recovery has now entered a more positive phase, with the striker recently returning to light training after completing rehabilitation at parent club Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Unions SG forward made his first matchday squad appearance in more than three months when he returned to the bench for Werder Bremen’s 1-1 Bundesliga draw against VfB Stuttgart on April 26, although he remained an unused substitute.

Bremen manager Daniel Thioune has admitted the striker is still dealing with a ‘fitness deficit', with the club carefully managing his workload as they battle to secure Bundesliga survival.

Boniface is expected to feature mainly from the bench in Bremen’s final two league matches against TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund as he continues rebuilding his sharpness and confidence.

Bremen currently sit 15th in the Bundesliga table and need just one more point from their remaining fixtures to guarantee their place in Germany’s top flight next season.

Boniface first exploded onto the scene in Germany during Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning season under Xabi Alonso in 2023/24. He scored 14 goals and added eight assists as Leverkusen completed an ‘Invincible' domestic campaign.
His powerful running, intelligent movement and ability to create chances quickly made him one of the most exciting forwards in German football.

However, recurring injuries have slowed his progress and significantly reduced his market value in recent months. After surgery, rehabilitation and months away from the pitch, Boniface will hope the final weeks of the season can signal the beginning of a fresh chapter in his comeback story.

The 19-year-old joined Die Rotten-Bullen from Slovakian side AS Trencin for five million Euros during the winter transfer window, shortly after the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

Leipzig defeated the likes of Tottenham, Leverkusen, and Rangers in the race for the fleet-footed winger, but they've not been able to enjoy his services so far.

Sani Suleiman returns to RB Leipzig training

After penning a five-year contract with the German side, the former Akwa United forward was unable to get into action straightaway due to fitness issues.

In his journey to make his debut, he suffered an ankle injury, which kept him out for a month, and upon his return, he suffered a hip problem that took another five weeks to recover from.

With two Bundesliga games left to play, Leipzig need one more win to secure UEFA Champions League football next season, and will be playing against Saint Pauli and UEFA Europa League finalists SC Freiburg.

Ahead of the clash, Leipzig boss Ole Werner confirmed that Suleiman is back in training alongside Dutch midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi, who was out with a knee injury.

“With Banzuzi and Sani, who returned this week, we’ll have to see how we manage the squad or whether they are fully fit to play again,” the German tactician said in quotes revealed by Liga Insider.

Sani Suleiman was a part of the Nigerian team that featured at the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Chile. The Flying Eagles were knocked out in the round of 16 by Argentina in a humiliating 4-0 defeat.

The Ipswich Town striker revealed that the instability inside the Dutch club affected both his confidence and performances.

Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf via Goal, Akpom reflected on a turbulent stay in Amsterdam that began in the summer of 2023 after his move from Middlesbrough. The former Arsenal academy player arrived in the Netherlands after winning the Championship Golden Boot, but he struggled to establish himself consistently in a rapidly changing Ajax side.

Akpom still produced respectable numbers across two seasons. He made 68 appearances in all competitions, scoring 23 goals and registering four assists. Fourteen of those goals came in the Eredivisie, while he also scored four times in the UEFA Europa League and another four goals in Europa League qualifying matches.

His most productive period came during the 2023-24 campaign when he scored 11 league goals in 25 appearances, despite often being used from the bench. Yet his spell at Ajax was widely viewed as disappointing because the club itself was going through one of the most unstable periods in its modern history.

“There were many new players, a new coach and a new technical director,” Akpom explained.

“With so many changes, it’s difficult to succeed immediately. I would have preferred to arrive in a stable situation; now, all the new signings had a tough time.”

The striker was one of 12 players signed under former technical director Sven Mislintat, whose recruitment policy came under fierce criticism during Ajax’s poor run of form in the 2023-24 season.

Chuba Akpom: Ajax criticism affected confidence

Akpom admitted that the criticism surrounding Mislintat’s signings eventually affected the dressing room atmosphere and the confidence of several players.

“Many people criticized him,” Akpom said. “The players signed by Mislintat almost felt guilty for having a long and expensive contract. That undermined our confidence and, in my opinion, we were viewed with suspicion.”

His Ajax career effectively ended in August 2025 when he joined Ipswich Town on a season-long loan. The deal included a mandatory purchase clause worth around £7 million (€9.3m) if Ipswich secured promotion to the Premier League.

That condition was triggered after Kieran McKenna’s side finished second in the Championship to seal automatic promotion back to the top flight. Ajax are now set to receive the full transfer fee, a development Akpom says makes him happy despite his difficult experience at the Dutch giants.

“I’m very happy about it,” he said. “Ajax is a fantastic club. I’m happy for them and wish them all the best.”

Akpom’s own contribution to Ipswich’s promotion campaign was modest. He scored two goals in 31 appearances across all competitions, with strikes against Hull City and Oxford United. As the season progressed, his involvement reduced sharply, and he played only around 200 minutes during the final months of the campaign while George Hirst remained first-choice striker.

Still, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna valued Akpom’s movement, pressing and work ethic within the squad structure that eventually secured Premier League football. The 30-year-old has now signed a permanent contract at Portman Road running until June 2029.

The 29-year-old was one of the Super Falcons' standout players in Morocco last year, scoring two goals and providing seven assists as the Nigerian Female Football team were crowned African Champions for the 10th time.

The WAFCON 2026 tournament was initially scheduled to be held between 17 March and 3 April, but was postponed by CAF. The new duration is 25 July – 16 August 2026.

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Super Falcons: Esther Okoronkwo suffers a meniscus tear

With the WAFCON tournament just over two months away, one of Justin Madugu's key players might not be present in Morocco, and that's a big blow, because a semi-final spot is required for the African Champions to seal a World Cup spot.

Okoronkwo went down in AFC Toronto's goalless draw against Halifax Women five days ago. After further checks, it was confirmed that the former Saint-Etienne attacker suffered a meniscus tear and will be out for six weeks.

“We do have an update. Esther suffered a bit of a meniscus damage to her knee and the initial prognosis is that she'll be out for about six weeks,” AFC Toronto Women's head coach Marco Milanovic confirmed.

“She's obviously a key player for us, just like Sam was. When she first came in, she was initially out for the season.

“I love this group of players, I have a lot of confidence in them. So, any injury present any opportunity for someone else.

“We have a lot of depth up top and I'm very confident that those players will take the opportunity and make the most of it,” the Serbian-Canadian concluded.

Coach Madugu will be hopeful of having his star attacker back and fully fit before the tournament kicks off in mid-June.

Okoronkwo missed the AFCON 2022 tournament after suffering a debilitating ACL injury.

The Black Cats travelled to Molineux to face already-relegated Wolves, but the major talking point of the game came in the first half when Ballard was given his marching orders.

The incident occurred in the 24th minute when the Sunderland centre-back went up for an aerial challenge with Arokodare, but ended up grabbing a handful of the Super Eagles forward’s hair while attempting to challenge for the ball.

The referee then issued a straight red card to Ballard after a VAR review, making the Northern Irish defender the third player to be sent off for a similar offence in the Premier League season this season. 

It follows earlier incidents involving Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez, who was dismissed for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as well as Everton’s Michael Keane, who also committed a similar foul on Arokodare.

The match eventually ended 1-1, with both sides sharing the points as Santiago Bueno’s second-half strike cancelled out an early goal from Nordi Mukiele, extending Sunderland’s winless run to three matches.

Le Bris reacts to Ballard’s dismissal during Wolves vs Sunderland clash

Sunderland submitted an appeal to the Premier League in an attempt to overturn the red card after the match, but it was rejected. As a result, Ballard will now serve a three-match ban for violent conduct, ruling him out for the remainder of the season with just three games left.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Thursday ahead of their meeting with Manchester United, Le Bris expressed disappointment over the outcome and also defended the decision of the Northern Ireland international.

“Yes, we are [disappointed]. The situation was a bit unclear”, Le Bris said, via BBC Sport.

“The Premier League is built around physicality, intensity and I do think that Ballard tried to grab the shirt in the duel. Unfortunately long hair got caught and it wasn't intentional. The law is the law so I understand the referee at one point but at the same time I think the rule is a bit unclear.

“We will try to use the time to prepare the next season because we don't have another choice”, the Frenchman concluded.

Sunderland will be looking to end their three-match winless streak when they host Manchester United at the Stadium of Light this weekend, as they look to keep their slim chance of securing European qualification alive.

They will then travel to face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in their penultimate fixture, before concluding their campaign against Chelsea on May 24 as they hope to finish the season strongly.

Oparanozie made her senior debut for the Super Falcons in 2010 after rising through Nigeria’s U20 setup, where she impressed at the 2010 and 2012 editions of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

The former Wolfsburg forward was named captain in 2019 after she was handed the role by former head coach Thomas Dennerby. During her time with the national team, she won four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles and finished as the top scorer at the 2014 edition. She also represented Nigeria at four editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.

Oparanozie featured at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which turned out to be her final tournament before retirement, as Nigeria exited the competition in the Round of 16 after losing to England on penalties.

Since her retirement, the Super Falcons have added another WAFCON title to their collection and are now preparing for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they will face Zambia, Malawi and Egypt in Group C.

Desire Oparanozie speaks on difficulties of captaining Super Falcons

Following Nigeria’s exit from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 3-0 defeat to Germany, Oparanozie led calls for equal pay and improved treatment for the women’s national team, especially regarding the disparity in bonuses between the men’s and women’s teams.

However, she was eventually stripped of captaincy before she made her return to the team ahead of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Speaking on The 5th House Podcast, Oparanozie explained how different captaining the Super Falcons was compared to leading club sides abroad.

“On the other side, I captained a team abroad and nobody tells you what to do. You don’t have to break a sweat telling people what to do because everybody knows what to do and when to get them done. Your own as a captain is just to lead your team on the field of play and make sure everybody is in a good frame of mind to deliver and give 100%”, the former Nigerian captain said.

“But when you’re representing Nigeria, it’s a whole lot of things — going to training we’re not in uniformity. Some players are wearing green socks and some are wearing a different colour.

“It affects us mentally and it has always been the problem. If it’s not the problem of equipment, it’s the problem of bonus and that has always been there. It has a psychological effect on players’ performance no doubt.”

Oparanozie also revealed how divisions within the squad sometimes complicated efforts to push for better conditions for the players.

“The camp usually brings a combination of unity, tension and division. Some players stand for what is right and want what is right to be done. Some other players want favour from the ‘powers’ that be.

“When we agree to do some things as a team, some players will go behind our back to let them know what we’re planning”, the former Wolfsburg forward continued.

The Super Falcons will now turn their attention to the rescheduled 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations in Morocco, which will hold between July 25 and August 16.